After the siege of Khe Sanh and the fighting during the breakout, Delta Co.
is under strength. Some replacements begin to arrive soon after battalion comes
to Wonder Beach.

The battalion is assigned perimeter security and convoy escort duty. Also,
many small unit operations are conducted in the vicinity of Wonder Beach and the
access road to Route 1 to provide local security and hinder enemy efforts to
collect rice from the villages in the area (Operation Rice). The battalion also
provides road sweep security for the USA 14th Engineers for the road from Wonder
Beach to Route 1.

The 1st Platoon of Delta Co. is detached from the company to provide security
for the movements of tanks to Camp Carroll. The Marines riding the tanks feel
like inviting targets. The 1st Platoon remains at Camp Carroll a few days before
convoy back to Wonder Beach.

The war in Quang Tri Province continues to heat up, and the combat action
shifts towards Dong Ha.

April 24, 1968

The Navy accidentally shells the Wonder Beach complex.

April 25, 1968

Delta Co. is helifted to the crash site of a downed UH-IE helicopter to
search the area and provide security. Six bodies are recovered.

April 29, 1968

The 320th NVA Division has advanced south to within four miles of Dong Ha and
some of its unitís clash with D/1/9 and the 2nd ARVN Regiment a few miles
northwest of Dong Ha.

April 30, 1968

The units of the 320th NVA Division shell cargo shipments on the Cua Viet
River with artillery, rockets and mortars. This action blocks river shipments
and concerns military planners; the Cua Viet River is the major corridor for war
goods flowing into Quang Tri Province.

Early May 1968

During the first week of May, the battalion continues operations from the
Wonder Beach Complex. The fighting North of Dong Ha continues to get hotter as
the NVA begin a series of bloody and costly battles along an east to west
corridor north of Dong Ha (Thon Cam Vu to Nhi Ha). This action becomes known as
the battle for Dong Ha (it is also known as the battle for Dai Do).

May 4-17, 1968

From 7 May until 17 May the 1/26 Marines conducted
operations north of Dong Ha and Cam Lo in conjunction with Operation KENTUCKY.During the operation the battalion destroyed several enemy bunker
complexes, captured large amounts of enemy supplies, weapons and munitions.

East of the Kentucky AO, the 320th fights at least one major engagement a day
against half a dozen Marine, ARVN and Army Battalions.

May 6, 1968

The fight between the BLT 2/4 and the NVA at Do Dai (northeast of Dong Ha)
has developed into a multi-battalion action.

May 7, 1968

The battalion and Delta Co. are trucked from Wonder Beach to Dong Ha to begin
a sweep of the area north and west towards Thon Cam Vu. This operation is a
sweep of a portion of the 9th Marines Kentucky AO. The battalion makes slow
progress with a tactical movement north along Route 1. At the end of the day,
1/26 reaches the area where the ARVN has been hit by units of the 320th NVA
Division days before and takes night defensive positions.

May 8, 1968

The battalion moves in a westerly direction. Between the villages, the rice
paddy fields spread out -- some are very large. The battalion uses prep fire by
artillery and tanks on the tree line before advancing on the targeted area of
this operation. The battalion moves towards the ville and is hit by 130-mm
artillery rounds. The counter-battery fire from Dong Ha immediately responds.
The ville has been extensively fortified. However, the NVA abandon their
positions in haste, leaving some ammunition and fresh food behind. The battalion
and Delta Co. take night defensive positions in this area. the following Delta
Co. Marine was killed:

Pfc. James Chambers, 5/8/68 - Killed by friendly fire west of Dong Ha

May 9, 1968

Delta Co. is the point company for the battalion in the morning advance and
moves out along the center of a low gully in a westerly direction. As the
company pushes forward, a heavy volume of automatic weapons fire opens up from
NVA units fighting from fortified positions. In addition to their many machine
gun bunkers, the NVA uses both rockets and mortars to harass the movement of the
Marines returning fire. Delta Co. was reinforced by Charlie Co. in the assault
and Bravo Co. with tanks providing a base of fire.

The attack continues. With the help of tanks, the NVA are pushed out of the
ville. The battalion and Delta Co. recover casualties and take night defensive
positions around the ville. The night is long with the crying of the village
women and the silhouette of the dead Marines gathered together waiting for
daybreak and their helicopter flight back to Dong Ha.

During the attack, the battalion suffers about 50 killed and wounded. Delta
Company sustains the most casualties, including the Company Commander, who is
killed. The following Delta Co. Marines are KIA:

LCpl. Robert Sickles, 5/9/68 - Killed by gunshot wound west of Dong Ha

Pfc. Billy Stewart, 5/9/68 - Killed by gunshot wound west of Dong Ha

HN Melvin Windham, 5/9/68 - Killed by gunshot wound west of Dong Ha

May 10, 1968

The sweep continues toward the river to the south. The battalion uses prep
fire by artillery on the tree line before advancing on the targeted area.

During the battalion's sweep in the Kentucky AO, they encounter many enemy
bunker complexes, resulting in the capture of large amounts of enemy supplies,
weapons, and munitions. The number of the bunkers and the large amount of
captured material indicate that these small units are covering the withdrawal of
a larger NVA force. NVA casualties for the operation are 11 KIA and two
captured.

1stLt R. E. Simpson becomes acting Delta Co. Commander.

May 11-16, 1968

The battalion continues a series of company-sized operations. Due to heavy
casualties during the proceeding days, Delta Co. is very under strength and is
relocated to the Cua Viet area. On a patrol in the vicinity of Cua Vet, one
Delta Co. Marine is mortally wounded and later dies; two other Marines are
wounded.

East of the Kentucky AO, the fighting intensifies. As the battle grows, many
American units besides 2/4 are committed. These include 1/3, 3/9, 1/26, 196th
Light Infantry Brigade (2/21 Infantry Battalion), and the 2nd Brigade, 1st Air
Cavalry.

The defense of Dong Ha grows into one of the major fights of the Vietnam War,
costing the Americans 327 killed with more than 1,500 casualties. The NVA are
estimated to have lost almost 3,600 killed.

The battalion is flown from Cam Lo to Da Nang and OpCon to 1st MarDiv as
division reserve until May 26, 1968. During this time, the battalion is located
at Dai La Pass, Da Nang.

May 21, 1968

Delta Co. is helilifted to the hills west of An Hoa to support a recon team.

May 22, 1968

Delta Co. discovers 2,000 lbs. of rice.

May 26, 1968

The presence of the NVA in the Go Noi Island area increases the threat of
attack against Da Nang's civilian and military installations. In mid-May to meet this challenge,
Gen. Cushman, III MAF Commander, deployed elements of the 5th, 7th, and 27th
Marines in the broad valley of the Thu Bon River, which flowed into the sea near
Hoi An, about 20 miles south of Da Nang.

The purpose of
Operation Allen Brook is to clear the elements of the NVA 308th Division's 36th
and 38th Regiments from this area. The target was Go Noi Island, an island formed by the Thu Bon River in Dien Ban
district near Route 1, the main north-south highway of South Vietnam.In Dien Ban district the coastal rice patties gave way to flat, open
fields covered by grass and scrub, broken by the occasional stand of trees.

Alan Brook became the pattern of warfare in the river basins and coastal
lowlands of Quang Nam. Contact followed the standard NVA tactic, which was to engage the Marines
at close range from prepared positions to minimize help from U.S. artillery and
aircraft.These NVA tactics were
never wholly successful as combined arms inflicted heavy casualties on the
enemy.

On May 26 the 1/26 Marines are OpCon to the 27th Marines to join in Operation Allen Brook.
The battalion's command post is moved to the vicinity of Liberty Bridge on
the north bank of the Thu Bon River. During the Allen Brook operation the daily temperature were above 110 degrees each day,
which was both, draining and frustrating.

May 27-31, 1968

The battalion makes contact with a large enemy force and captures large
amounts of supplies during this period. 33 NVA are KIA.

Cpl. Charles Coleman, 5/31/68 - Died of wounds suffered by gunshot on May 27,
1968

The battalion remains OpCon to the 27th Marines and continues operations in
the Allen Brook AO. During this period, the battalion makes contact with a large
enemy force, capturing large amounts of enemy equipment, rice, and documents. 23
NVA are KIA. Delta Co. had five wounded on June 5 in the vicinity of Cu
Ban including Cpl. Corbett and Pfc. Gallagher. A medevac helicopter is
shot down also. HM3 Aucoin is mortally wounded this day dies of his wounds
several weeks later.

The Cu Ban hamlets were located southeast of Liberty Bridge.

June 7-16,
1968

The battalion is OpCon to the 7th Marines and conducts operations south and
west of Hill 55 in conjunction with Operation Mameluke Thrust. The
objectives of this operation was to preempt another enemy offensive against Da
Nang. The Mameluke Thrust AO extended south to the An Hoa area.

June 7, 1968

The 1/26 Marines meets an NVA battalion at My Loc (2), three
miles northeast of An Hoa.Alpha
Company was on the right, Delta Company on the left, and Charlie Company in the
middle, about 200 yards back. The hot weather continued and was
exhausting. During fighting on 7 June, both Alpha
and Delta Companies are hit hard.

The Delta Company advance had the
2nd Platoon on the left flank, 3rd Platoon advancing up a small ridge line and
1st Platoon was sweeping a village on the right. The
company command post was behind 3rd platoon.

About
10 AM that morning the NVA opened up on the 3rd Platoon's lead squad which had
gotten inside the enemy's camouflaged positions.
The enemy opened up with automatic weapons at
close range from a trench line. Elements
of 3rd Platoon counter attacked the enemy killing all five NVA in the
trench.Delta Company sustained casualties including
two Marines KIA.

The
following Marines were killed during this fight:

2nd Lt. Samuel Hannah, 6/7/68 -- Killed by gunshot wound
near My Loc

LCpl. David Auen, 6/7/68 -- Killed by gunshot wound near My
Loc

The
fighting became widespread. Alpha Company was to the right and
ahead of Delta and they took fire when they entered a tree line and became
heavily engaged. All
of Delta Company platoons came under fire. 2nd
Platoon assaulted through the tree line and relieved the pressure on third
platoon.

The Company regrouped while casualties were medevaced.Charlie
Company had moved up to support Delta sent one platoons by helicopter over to
help Alpha Company in its actions. Charlie Company
was ordered to secure around the LZ.

About
noon as Delta Company got ready to move out again, snipers opened up from the
direction away from the tree line.The
company held its position and a fire mission was called.Then, the NVA opened up on the company with heavy automatic weapons fire
from positions in the tree line. Third
Platoon was hit hard again and the attack resulted in many Marine casualties.

Delta Company with attached units engaged the NVA and the
enemy was forced to pull back as sustained
artillery and air strikes were called in. That
evening the 1st Platoon was pulled up on the ridge with 2nd and 3rd Platoons.

The battalion moves north of the Thu Bon River into "Dodge City" to
cover the 7th Marines command post on Hill 55. Dodge City is south and east of
Hill 55 and is bordered on the west by the south fork of the Song Vu Gia; on the
north by the Song Ai Nghi, Song Lo Tho, and Song Than Quit; on the east by Route
1; and on the south by the Song Thu Bon, Song Ba Ren, and Song Chiem Son. A
north-south railroad Berm bisects the area. More than two dozen villages and
hamlets dot the region. Delta Co. had previously operated in this area during
1966 and 1967.

June 13, 1968

Delta Co. clashes with the NVA and main-force VC south of Hill 55 TAOR in the
vicinity of Ngoc An (1) and (2), which are next to the Thu Bob River, and sustains many casualties. The following Delta Co.
Marines are killed in this fight:

There is a sharp fight between units of 1/26 and the NVA and main-force VC south of the Hill 55 in the vicinity of Thuy Bo.
Two Delta Company Marines are killed:

Sgt. Carl Ward, 6/15/68 - Killed by gunshot wound near Hill 55

Sgt. Clark Henson, 6/16/68 - Killed by gunshot wound near Hill 55

During Mameluke Thrust operations, the 1/26 Marines made heavy contact with
the enemy. the battalion killed 158 NVA and captured one. Numerous
bunkers and caves were uncovered, particularly on operations in
the Happy Valley area. Many of those sites were Regimental size and
showed evidence of recent occupation. Large amounts of
ordinance, food, weapons and documents were found.

June 17 - 19, 1968

SSgt. Clarence Tolentino, 6/17/68 - Died of wounds received by a mine on
6/4/68 in the vicinity of Go Noi Island.

The battalion was held as Division Reserve and located at Dai La Pass, Da
Nang.

June 20, 1968

The battalion is OpCon to the 26th Marines and is helilifted to the Thuong
Duc corridor to conduct operations in the Happy Valley area in support of
Operation Mameluke Thrust, Phase II.

Delta Co. moved northwest from Thuong Duc along the Song Con for about
12,000 meters. Then the company moved north along the Song Yang for about
another 10,000 meters until reaching Elephant Valley. On June 27th, Delta Co.
linked up with the 3/26 Marines.

.June 28, 1968

Delta Co. was helilifted to the top of Charlie Ridge near Tho Thenon.

June 29, 1968

The next morning, a lone NVA sniper killed a Marine. A scout dog is used to
track the NVA and eventually a harbor site is found. Delta Co. attacks and kills
several NVA. One Marine is killed and another wounded by an NVA machine gun. A jungle
penetrator is used to assist the medevac.

Delta Co. continues its sweep of Charlie Ridge finding a hastily evacuated
NVA hospital. The company worked its way down the ridge to Ambush Valley and the
road to Thuong Duc. The company was mortared but took no casualties.

July 3-7, 1968

The battalion is helilifted from Thuong Duc to An Hoa to prepare for
operations in the area southwest of An Hoa. The battalion is resupplied and
stays at An Hoa through July 7, 1968.

LCpl. Kenneth Watson, 7/07/68 - Died of wounds suffered in May or June

July 8-20, 1968

Several battalion and company-size search and destroy missions are conducted
in the area southwest of An Hoa. The enemy avoids contact with several instances
of sniper fire and no sustained attack. Only small arms fire is received.

July 8-20, 1968

Several battalion and company-size search and destroy missions are conducted
in the area southwest of An Hoa. The enemy avoids contact with several instances
of sniper fire and no sustained attack. Only small arms fire is received.

July 20, 1968

The battalion is helilifted to An Hoa to make preparations for relocation by
fixed wing airlift to Phu Bai to assume responsibility for the Northern Task
Force X- Ray AO and participation in Operation Houston, Phase IV.

Operation Houston is conducted by the Marines in the Hai Van Pass area and
the Phu Loc district lowlands. The purpose of this operation is to keep Highway
One open and permit rehabilitation of the railroad. Operation Houston is
initiated on February 27, 1968 and terminated on September 12, 1968. At that
time, military supplies and vehicles are moving freely from Da Nang to Hue via
both rail and truck routes.

The battalion conducts aggressive small-unit security patrols and ambushes
and occupies road and bridge defensive positions along Route One. Throughout the
month, an extensive number of patrols are conducted to interdict NVA/VC
movements from the Troui river Mountain Range to the low land farm areas to
gather food. Friendly units make contact with the enemy nightly. The enemy
contacts range from small 3 to 9 man NVA/VC squads to larger units.

Delta Company is assigned to an area south of Phu Bai. One platoon is
stationed at the ville by the first bridge south of Phu Bia. Another platoon is
stationed in the ville at the second bridge south of Phu Bai. A third platoon
operates in area around the bridges. Platoons rotate between the bridges and the
field.

Enemy forces assault elements of Delta Co. guarding the second bridge south
of Phu Bai, grid YD920103. The enemy infiltrates into a schoolhouse outside of
the wire that is flattened by an Ontos stationed at the bridge.

August 18, 1968

Whisky Battery, 1/13 is attacked and partially overrun.

August 26, 1968

The following Delta Co. Marine was killed south of Phu Bai:

Cpl. Ronald Noble, 8/26/68 - Killed by a mine

September 3, 1968

The 1/26 Marines are relocated south from the Phu Bai area to the
Northwestern Da Nang TAOR. This move is part of the regimental shuffle caused by
the redeployment of the 27th Marines during September. The 26th Marines are
assigned to the 1st MarDiv as a fourth regiment. The 1/26 headquarters is
located next to the 7th Engineers (USMC).

The battalion's mission northwest of Da Nang is to provide security for the
Esso Plant near Ga Lien Chieu (Bravo Co.), the Namo Bridge near the mouth of the
Son Cue De (Charlie Co.), and Rocket Belt patrols. Also, the battalion conducts
Operation Denial, which involves the formation of Killer Ambush Teams (KAT) to
deny the enemy entrance and egress from the populated lowland areas and access
to the rice harvest. Combined LTV operations of squad and platoon sized patrols
are conducted astride the Cue De River for surveillance and interdiction.
However, contact in September for the 1/26 Marines is negligible.

Early September 1968

Delta Co. is helilifted to a company outpost on Hill 180, which appears to be
in the middle of nowhere. This combat base is situated at the mouth of the
Elephant Valley and overlooks most of the valley floor. The heights of the
surrounding hills and ridges are much higher than Hill 180. Ambushes and patrols
are run from this position to guard the approach from Elephant Valley to the Dan
Nang Vital Area. The company outpost is a cleared hilltop and is very remote.
Water has to be carried up from streams at the bottom of the hill, and re-supply
can only be conducted by helicopter.

Hill 180 was an important observation point. Because of the rugged terrain and cover, the NVA had easy access to launching sites in the vicinity of Elephant Valley. The frequency of launches caused a serious threat to the Da Nang vital Area. The defense of the Da Nang Rocket Belt included keeping the Elephant Valley area clear of NVA rocket teams and making rapid response by subjecting the NVA to artillery and mortar fire.

Mid-September 1968

Delta Co. is brought back to the rear for a short time and then sent to Hill
60, which overlooked a ville with a large stone Catholic church. After a short
stay, the company is moved to the battalion CP as reserve.

September 21, 1968

The Esso Plant is hit by a small group of sappers. The initial flash and the
following fire light up the night sky.

October 1968

Delta Co. is deployed to Hill 190, which becomes its base of operations.

The 1/26 Marines continue in the mission of defending
the Rocket Belt by saturation patrols. An arc is drawn around Da Nang to
indicate the maximum range of NVA 122mm and 140mm rockets.

Aggressive night patrols by Killer Ambush Teams (KAT) are also conducted to
interdict the enemy. KAT teams are small-sized patrols (six Marines) intended to
seek out the enemy at night and ambush where possible.

The Communists are confident that they can successfully attack Da Nang Vital
Area with 122mm rockets. There are many targets - Da Nang City, the air base,
Force Logistics Command, port facilities, and the Marble Mountain Air Facility.
The 122mm rocket is a high trajectory weapon, capable of being placed virtually
anywhere in a 200 square belt surrounding Da Nang. A trained crew can prepare a
122mm rocket for firing in less than 30 minutes. Its range of 12,000 meters
allows it to be placed in unobserved positions. These rocket teams are highly
mobile; each firing position typically contains six launching sites.

Five thousand Marines participate in the defense of this TAOR. For the
Marines working in the rocket belt, the war is particularly frustrating. These
patrols are exposed to snipers, booby traps and mines. There is no easy
solution; despite the Marines' efforts, these rocket attacks continue.

Delta Co. establishes an ambush site near Quan Nam (5). The enemy, hiding in
a house, comes out and surrounds the ambush site. The enemy throws grenades and
fires small arms before retreating under superior fire.

Flooding monsoon rains make the area generally inaccessible for friendly
operations, contributing to increased enemy activity in Quan Nam (5). The enemy
uses boats to move into and out of the area. The enemy seems to belong to the
31st NVA Regiment and is well organized, traveling in well-dispersed units. The
following Delta Co. Marine was killed:

Pfc. Clarence Cunnigham, 10/24/68 - Killed by a mine

October 25-26, 1968

Delta Co. conducts a cordon and sweep operation of Quan Nam (5). The CIT Team
and 150 National Police search the area to interrogate indigenous personnel for
information. No negative contact or detentions are made.

The enemy starts moving in larger groups, and many more sightings are made.
Marine activities continue with the goal of denying the enemy freedom of
movement and interdicting enemy infiltration routes. During this month, the
enemy overwhelms two KAT teams, with heavy Marine casualties. To counter this
increased enemy strength, subsequent night activities involve larger sized
ambushes and patrols so that enemy force can be destroyed when engaged.

A Revolutionary Development (RD) team is established at Ho Vinh Village south
of the Delta Co. CP on Hill 190. The RD team works in conjunction with Regional
Force or National Police Field Force platoons. The RD's mission is to
politically orient the village and provide protection and general education with
the goal of establishing a credible GVN presence.

November 3-4, 1968

In the vicinity of the company position on Hill 190, a Delta Co. KAT team
detonates a booby trap with 2 wounded on November 3. Another KAT team springs an
ambush, killing one NVA. A Delta Co. Marine is wounded on November 4.

November 7-14, 1968

The 1/26 Marines conduct Operation Nicollet Bay, which is a sweep of the Cu
De valley floor and ridgelines from Hill 190 west to the Dong Den area. The
other target area is the area north of the Cu De River called Banana Valley. The
NVA avoids significant contact. Three Delta Co. Marines are wounded on November
11 and another on November 12.

November 13-30, 1968

Nineteen rockets are fired from the 1/26 Marine TAOR despite counter
measures. The Marines have established a centralized control system for all
aspects of the counter rocket effort including artillery, air strikes, and
increased patrols. Observation aircraft fly constant patrols over the rocket
belt. Additionally, artillery Marines man strategically located observation
posts throughout the belt. Deep reconnaissance patrols work the areas of likely
penetration by these rocket teams.

November 17, 1968

During a daytime patrol, the 1st Platoon of Delta Co. reaction force engaged
the enemy north of the Cu De River and suffers four WIA. The following Delta Co.
Marine was killed:

Cpl. Robert S. Markum, 11/17/68 - Killed north of the Cu De River in the
vicinity of Hill 190

A Killer Attack Team from the 2nd Platoon of Delta Co. is overrun south of
Hill 190. The enemy was the point element of an NVA company moving towards
Da Nang. Seven Marines of the squad were killed. Shrapnel from grenades hits all the Marines; five are shot in
the head at close range. Pfc. Nyroon Chadee survived the fighting by
crawling into another rice paddy but later died of wounds. The following Delta Co. Marines are killed:

The 3rd Platoon of Delta Co. observes an estimated 30 enemy and directs a
successful attack by artillery and 81 mortars. A sweep of the area finds one
enemy body and two weapons.

November 19, 1968

The FLC compound receives thirteen rockets, with six hitting inside their
base area.

November 25, 1968

A Delta Co. Marine is wounded.

November 27, 1968

Delta Co. springs an ambush on three NVA in a small boat and kills three of
the enemy.

November 29, 1968

Delta Company ambushes a small enemy group and sweeps the area, finding one
enemy KIA.

December 1968

The Delta Co. CP continues to be located on Hill 190. The enemy keeps
constant pressure on all 1/26 units during the month. The TAOR experiences a
significant increase in enemy terrorism including two kidnappings, an
assassination, destruction of a settlement, a mining incident, and an increase
in booby traps. The NVA are using the VC forces to provide food. The VC uses
these terrorist activities to coerce the local people to provide more food and
intelligence.

Joint Marine and South Vietnamese joint operations continue to be emphasized.
Due to harassment of convoys over the Hai Van Pass, long-range patrols into the
overlooking canopied mountains are initiated.

December 1, 1968

Delta Co. sights 20 enemy moving towards an ambush site and springs an
ambush, killing three of the enemy.

December 5, 1968

Delta Co. detects an enemy force of unknown size and initiates an ambush
north of the Cu De River with Claymore mines and small arms. The fight kills 15
NVA. Three Marines are WIA.